Comparative analysis of diagnostic methods and risk factors for Aelurostrongylus abstrusus infection in brazilian cats.

This study aimed to prospectively evaluate the risk factors of infection by Aelurostrongylus abstrusus in Brazilian cats with cough and/or radiographic changes, using as diagnostic tools the Baermann method (BM), polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of feces, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and cytology. Forty-three cats that were presented with cough or lung radiographic abnormalities compatible with bronchoalveolar disease were included in the study. After clinical evaluation, feces samples were collected to investigate lungworm parasitism through BM and PCR. BALF was performed to provide samples for cytology, bacteriology, and fungal culture. Stool PCR was considered the gold standard for diagnosis tests, and the other methods were evaluated by their agreement. PCR presented 74% (32/43) of positivity for A. abstrusus, while in the BM, 41% (18/43) were positive. BM showed sensitivity of 56.25% and specificity of 100% when compared with PCR. No larva was found in the cytological evaluation of 21 BALF samples. Lungworm is an important cause of bronchopulmonary disease in domestic cats in Brazil and should be included as a differential diagnosis when a cat is presented with cough or radiographic abnormalities. BM is a sensitive, non-invasive, and cheap technique to diagnose the disease, but it is not as sensitive as PCR.

Células-tronco mesenquimais de origem adiposa na fase de proliferação do processo de cicatrização de queimaduras frias / Adipose-derived stem cells in the proliferation phase of the healing process in cold burns

A criocirurgia tem sido utilizada no tratamento de diferentes enfermidades de sistemas e órgãos. Contudo, são relatados efeitos adversos, como cicatrização lenta, cicatrizes extensas, disfunção estética e funcional. As lesões que ocorrem naturalmente pela exposição ao frio extremo, comumente, resultam em gangrena. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a influência das células-tronco mesenquimais de origem adiposa (ADSCs) na fase de proliferação da cicatrização de feridas cutâneas. Por meio da aplicação do nitrogênio líquido pela técnica do spray aberto, realizou-se a indução de uma ferida, de aproximadamente 15mm de diâmetro, na região dorsal de cada rato. A ferida recebeu o tratamento de acordo com o grupo ao qual pertencia: 1) aplicação das ADSCs no 15º dia (grupo tratado); 2) aplicação da solução cloreto de sódio 0,9% no 15º dia (grupo sham); 3) nenhuma intervenção até o momento da eutanásia (grupo controle). O grupo tratado com as ADSCs apresentou as maiores taxas de contração média das feridas e obteve diferença estatisticamente significativa em relação ao grupo sham quanto à neovascularização. A terapia com as ADSCs proporcionou uma relevante evolução clínica das feridas, podendo ser constatada ao final do período de avaliação por cicatrizes mais estreitas e compridas.(AU)

Cryosurgery has been used to treat different diseases of systems and organs, although adverse effects have been reported such as delayed wound healing, large scars, esthetical deformation and functional impairment. Injuries caused naturally by the exposure to extreme cold weather conditions mostly result in gangrene. This study aims to evaluate the influence of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) in the proliferation phase on cutaneous wound healing. Through the application of liquid nitrogen by the spraying technique, a 15 millimeter diameter lesion was produced in the dorsal region of each rat. The wound received treatment according to the group it belonged: 1) ADSCs application on the 15th day (treated group); 2) application of 0.9% sodium chloride solution on the 15th day (sham group); 3) no intervention until euthanasia (control group). The group treated with ADSCs showed the highest wound average contraction rate; this group got a significant statistical difference in relation to the sham group when it refers to neovascularization. The ADSCs therapy provides an important clinical evolution of wounds. This was verified at the end of the evaluation period through narrower and longer scars.(AU)